Docket Number: AMS-NOP-17-0043
Comments received by: December 26, 2017
Summary
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the availability of an interim instruction document intended for use by USDA-accredited organic certifying agents (certifiers). The interim instruction is entitled as follows: Maintaining the Integrity of Organic Imports (NOP 4013). This interim instruction explains the USDA organic regulations' current requirements for certifiers engaged in the oversight of organic products imported into the United States. It also recommends best practices that certifiers may use in order to comply with the existing regulations. AMS invites organic handlers, certifying agents, importers, consumers, and other interested parties to submit comments on the interim instruction. Specifically, comments should address the parts of the instruction that recommend best practices that certifiers may use to ensure compliance with the USDA organic regulations. This document is not intended to request comments on the existing USDA organic regulations found at 7 CFR part 205.
Submit Comments
Submit written requests for hard copies of this interim instruction to Paul I. Lewis, Ph.D., Standards Division Director, National Organic Program (NOP), USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646—So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for electronic access to the draft guidance document.
You may submit comments on this interim instruction by any of the following methods
- Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
- Mail: Paul I. Lewis, Ph.D., Standards Division Director, National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646—So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268.
Instructions: Written comments responding to this request should be identified with the document number AMS-NOP-17-0043; NOP-17-07. You should clearly indicate your position and the reasons supporting your position. If you are suggesting changes to the draft instruction document, you should include recommended language changes, as appropriate, along with any relevant supporting documentation. AMS is specifically requesting that stakeholders comment and quantify any impacts that the instruction will have on certified operations.
Contact
Paul I. Lewis, Ph.D., Standards Division Director, USDA-AMS-NOP
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646—So.
Ag Stop 0268
Washington, DC 20250-0268
Telephone: (202) 720-3252
Fax: (202) 260-9151
Email: NOP.Guidance@ams.usda.gov
NOP Web site at: www.ams.usda.gov/nop
Supporting Documents
- Notice of Availability of Interim Instruction with Request for Comments
- Interim Instruction on Maintaining the Integrity of Organic Imports (pdf)